Appeals

IMPORTANT! It is very difficult to appeal a case to the Minnesota Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals. An appeal is NOT a "do over" of the case. Appellate Courts review decisions the trial court judge made about the law, but not questions about the facts. If you are representing yourself in court, we strongly encourage you to talk to a lawyer to get advice on whether an appeal is the best option for you, and on how to write a "brief" and present an oral argument if you plan to represent yourself. Court staff cannot give you any legal advice.

2. a "cost bond" of $500 (purchased from an insurance or bonding company) OR a "deposit" of $500 (check or money order). See MN Rule Civil Appellate Procedure 107.01. The cost bond or deposit provides security for the payment of costs that may be awarded to the other parties if the case is affirmed on appeal.

If you cannot afford the bond or deposit, you may file a Court of Appeals IFP / Fee Waiver request with the Hennepin County District Court. The proposed IFP Order for Court of Appeals can only be signed by the District Court judge.

Any amount of the bond or deposit to be returned to the appealing party (appellant) will be determined by the Hennepin County trial judge, who is guided by the terms of the Appellate Court judgment. The appellant must request the refund by sending a proposed order for the release of the appropriate amount to the District Court judge assigned to the case.